[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18057-18062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06743]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0862]


COVID-19 Related Relief Concerning Operations at Chicago O'Hare 
International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los 
Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, 
New York LaGuardia Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 
and San Francisco International Airport for the Summer 2022 Scheduling 
Season

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Extension of limited, conditional waiver of the minimum slot 
usage requirement for international operations only.

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SUMMARY: The FAA has determined to extend through October 29, 2022, the 
Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related limited, conditional waiver of the 
minimum slot usage requirement at John F. Kennedy International Airport 
(JFK), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Ronald Reagan Washington 
National Airport (DCA) that the FAA has already made available through 
March 26, 2022, for international operations only. Similarly, the FAA 
has determined to extend through October 29, 2022, its COVID-19-related 
limited, conditional policy for prioritizing flights canceled at 
designated International Air Transport Association (IATA) Level 2 
airports in the United States, for purposes of establishing a carrier's 
operational baseline in the next corresponding season, for 
international operations only. These IATA Level 2 airports include 
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty 
International Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 
and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This relief is limited 
to slots and approved operating times used by any carrier for 
international operations only, through October 29, 2022, and will be 
subject to the same terms and conditions, that the FAA has already 
applied to the relief that remains available through March 26, 2022.

DATES: The relief announced in this notice is available for the Summer 
2022 scheduling season, which runs from March 27, 2022, through October 
29, 2022. Compliance with the rolling four-week return condition on the 
relief announced in this notice is required beginning on April 4, 2022. 
Compliance with all other conditions remains in effect without change 
from prior seasons.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Meilus, Manager, Slot 
Administration, AJR-G, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-2822; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 16, 2020, the FAA granted a limited waiver of the minimum 
slot usage requirements \1\ to carriers operating at all slot-
controlled airports in the United States (DCA, JFK, and LGA) \2\ and 
related relief to carriers operating at designated IATA Level 2 
airports in the United States (EWR, LAX, ORD, SFO) due to the 
extraordinary impacts on the demand for air travel resulting from the 
COVID-19 pandemic.\3\ Since the initial slot usage waiver and related 
relief was provided, the FAA has taken action to extend the relief 
provided on four occasions subject to certain substantive changes, 
including the addition of conditions, as the COVID-19 situation 
continued to evolve.\4\ The most recent limited, conditional extension 
of COVID-19-related relief was issued by the FAA on October 18, 2021, 
and is due to expire on March 27, 2022.\5\
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    \1\ The FAA has authority for developing ``plans and policy for 
the use of the navigable airspace'' and for assigning ``by 
regulation or order the use of the airspace necessary to ensure the 
safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace.'' 49 U.S.C. 
40103(b)(1). The FAA manages slot usage requirements under the 
authority of 14 CFR 93.227 at DCA and under the authority of Orders 
at JFK and LGA. See Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, 85 FR 58258 (Sep. 18, 2020); Operating 
Limitations at New York LaGuardia Airport, 85 FR 58255 (Sep. 18, 
2020).
    \2\ Although DCA and LGA are not designated as IATA Level 3 
slot-controlled airports given that these airports primarily serve 
domestic destinations, the FAA limits operations at these airports 
via rules at DCA and an Order at LGA that are equivalent to IATA 
Level 3. See FN 1. The FAA reiterates that the relief provided in 
the March 16, 2020, notice (85 FR 15018); the April 17, 2020, notice 
(85 FR 21500); the October 7, 2020, notice (85 FR 63335); the 
January 14, 2021, Summer 2021 FAA Policy Statement (Docket No. FAA-
2020-0862-0302); and, the October 20, 2021, notice (86 FR 58134), 
extends to all allocated slots, including slots allocated by 
exemption.
    \3\ Orders Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International 
Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport; High Density Traffic 
Airports Rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 85 FR 
15018 (Mar. 16, 2020).
    \4\ Orders Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International 
Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport; High Density Traffic 
Airports Rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 85 FR 
21500 (Apr. 17, 2020); COVID-19 Related Relief Concerning Operations 
at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark 
Liberty International Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, Ronald 
Reagan Washington National Airport, and San Francisco International 
Airport for the Winter 2020/2021 Scheduling Season, 85 FR 63335 
(Oct. 7, 2020); FAA Policy Statement: Limited, Conditional Extension 
of COVID-19 Related Relief for the Summer 2021 Scheduling Season 
(Docket No. FAA-2020-0862-0302); and COVID-19 Related Relief 
Concerning Operations at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, John 
F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, 
Newark Liberty International Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, 
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and San Francisco 
International Airport for the Winter 2021/2022 Scheduling Season, 86 
FR 58134 (Oct. 20, 2021).
    \5\ COVID-19 Related Relief Concerning Operations at Chicago 
O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, 
Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International 
Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington 
National Airport, and San Francisco International Airport for the 
Winter 2021/2022 Scheduling Season, 86 FR 58134 (Oct. 20, 2021).
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    The FAA issued a notice on February 25, 2022, inviting comment on 
its proposal to extend through October 29, 2022, the COVID-19-related 
limited, conditional waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement at 
United States (U.S.) slot controlled and IATA Level 2 airports that the 
FAA has already made available through March 26, 2022, for 
international operations only.\6\ In its proposal the FAA explained it 
would generally evaluate any request for relief from U.S. carriers for 
the Summer 2022 scheduling season based on historical levels of 
operations to foreign points as demonstrated in published schedules. 
The FAA further explained that domestic carriers seeking relief for a 
particular operation under the waiver will need to provide the FAA, if 
not readily apparent from FAA records and historic published schedule 
data, alternative supplemental information that predates FAA's proposal 
to demonstrate intent to use a slot or approved operating time for an 
international destination. The notice explained that international 
operations eligible for a waiver at U.S. slot-controlled and IATA Level 
2 airports under FAA's proposal would be subject

[[Page 18058]]

to all of the same conditions and policies already in effect.
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    \6\ COVID-19 Related Relief Concerning International Operations 
at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark 
Liberty International Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, Ronald 
Reagan Washington National Airport, and San Francisco International 
Airport for the Summer 2022 Scheduling Season, 89 FR 11805 (Mar. 2, 
2022).
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Current COVID-19 Situation

    Since FAA's notice published October 20, 2021, granting a limited, 
conditional extension of COVID-19-related relief for international 
operations only at slot-controlled airports and IATA Level 2 airports 
in the United States, COVID-19 has continued to cause disruption 
globally, and the timeline for recovery from this global pandemic 
remains uncertain. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports COVID-19 
cases in more than 200 countries, areas, and territories worldwide.\7\ 
For the week ending March 20, 2022, the WHO reported over 12 million 
new COVID-19 cases and just under 33,000 new deaths, bringing the 
cumulative total to more than 468 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 
over 6 million deaths globally since the start of the COVID-19 
pandemic.\8\
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    \7\ https://covid19.who.int/table.
    \8\ COVID-19 weekly epidemiological update, March 22, 2022, 
available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports. See also https://covid19.who.int/ for WHO COVID-19 Dashboard with the most current 
number of cases reported.
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    The WHO reports that it is monitoring multiple variants globally; 
currently, the WHO has classified two variants as ``circulating 
variants of concern'' and recently put out a statement regarding the 
Omicron sublineage BA.2.\9\ The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) is monitoring all variants of COVID-19 in the United 
States.\10\ The CDC has listed the Omicron and Delta variants as 
variants of concern.\11\ The CDC reports that all Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA)-approved or authorized vaccines reduce the risk of 
severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.\12\
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    \9\ https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/. See also https://www.who.int/news/item/22-02-2022-statement-on-omicron-sublineage-ba.2.
    \10\ Center for Disease Control (CDC), What You Need To Know 
About Variants, available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html.
    \11\ Id.
    \12\ Id. See also https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/.
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    Currently, three COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for 
emergency use or approved by the FDA.\13\ As of March 23, 2022, 65.4 
percent of Americans are fully vaccinated, and 76.8 percent of 
Americans have received at least one dose.\14\ Due to substantial 
efforts to increase vaccination rates across the globe, the United 
States moved away from a country-by-country restriction previously 
applied during the COVID-19 pandemic and adopted an air travel policy 
that relies primarily on vaccination to advance the safe resumption of 
international air travel to the United States.\15\ When the FAA 
extended COVID-19-related relief for international operations only by 
notice published October 20, 2021, the number of confirmed new cases of 
COVID-19 in the U.S. for the week of October 18, 2021, based on WHO 
data, was 509,330.\16\ On December 1, 2021, the first case attributable 
to the Omicron variant was identified in the United States.\17\ For the 
week of March 14, 2022, which is the most recent week for which data is 
available, the WHO reports 219,164 confirmed new cases in the United 
States.\18\
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    \13\ https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines.
    \14\ CDC, COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States, updated 
March 23, 2022, available at: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations.
    \15\ Id. See also https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/10/25/a-proclamation-on-advancing-the-safe-resumption-of-global-travel-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/.
    \16\ COVID-19 Related Relief Concerning Operations at Chicago 
O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, 
Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International 
Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington 
National Airport, and San Francisco International Airport for the 
Winter 2021/2022 Scheduling Season, 86 FR 58134 (Oct. 20, 2021). See 
also https://covid19.who.int/region/amro/country/us.
    \17\ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/scientific-brief-omicron-variant.html.
    \18\ https://covid19.who.int/region/amro/country/us.
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Standard Applicable to This Waiver Proceeding

    The FAA reiterates the standards applicable to petitions for 
waivers of the minimum slot usage requirements in effect at DCA, JFK, 
and LGA, as discussed in FAA's initial decision granting relief due to 
COVID-19 impacts.\19\ At JFK and LGA, each slot must be used at least 
80 percent of the time.\20\ Slots not meeting the minimum usage 
requirements will be withdrawn. The FAA may waive the 80 percent usage 
requirement in the event of a highly unusual and unpredictable 
condition that is beyond the control of the slot-holding air carrier 
and which affects carrier operations for a period of five consecutive 
days or more.\21\
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    \19\ See 85 FR 15018 (Mar. 16, 2020).
    \20\ Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy International 
Airport, 85 FR 58258 (Sep. 18, 2020); Operating Limitations at New 
York LaGuardia Airport, 85 FR 47065 at 58255 (Sep. 18, 2020).
    \21\ At JFK, historical rights to operating authorizations and 
withdrawal of those rights due to insufficient usage will be 
determined on a seasonal basis and in accordance with the schedule 
approved by the FAA prior to the commencement of the applicable 
season. See JFK Order, 85 FR at 58260. At LGA, any operating 
authorization not used at least 80 percent of the time over a two-
month period will be withdrawn by the FAA. See LGA Order, 85 FR at 
58257.
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    At DCA, any slot not used at least 80 percent of the time over a 
two-month period also will be recalled by the FAA.\22\ The FAA may 
waive this minimum usage requirement in the event of a highly unusual 
and unpredictable condition that is beyond the control of the slot-
holding carrier and which exists for a period of nine or more days.\23\
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    \22\ See 14 CFR 93.227(a).
    \23\ See 14 CFR 93.227(j).
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    When making decisions concerning historical rights to allocated 
slots, including whether to grant a waiver of the usage requirement, 
the FAA seeks to ensure the efficient use of valuable aviation 
infrastructure while maximizing the benefits to airport users and the 
traveling public. This minimum usage requirement is expected to 
accommodate routine cancelations under all but the most unusual 
circumstances. Carriers proceed at risk if, at any time prior to a 
final decision, they make decisions in anticipation of the FAA granting 
a slot usage waiver.

Summary of Comments and Information Submitted

    The FAA received comments from 11 stakeholders and other persons on 
the proposal including IATA, Airlines for America (A4A), Airports 
Council International-North America (ACI-NA), Exhaustless Inc. 
(Exhaustless), United Airlines (United), six foreign carriers or 
holding companies (Aer Lingus, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Iberia 
Airlines, ITA Airways, and Lufthansa Group). Nine commenters including 
A4A, IATA, and all commenting U.S. and foreign carriers, support FAA's 
proposal though some commenters have requested certain modifications.

Commenters Who Support FAA's Proposal

    Aer Lingus, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Iberia Airlines, and 
ITA Airways, commented supporting FAA's proposal. Aer Lingus states 
that the proposed relief ``is a wholly sensible and appropriate 
approach to mitigate against the current risks and to copper fasten 
U.S. global connectivity into the future.'' British Airways comments in 
support of FAA's proposal stating ``BA [British Airways] believes that 
the extension of slot relief into Summer 2022 is wholly appropriate and 
essential for preserving established international aviation networks, 
which in turn are

[[Page 18059]]

vital for keeping trade routes open in support of the wider economies 
and assisting the global recovery from the pandemic.'' Etihad Airways 
comments that it ``is in full support of the proposal in light of the 
uncertain recovery of demand and potential further restrictions 
impacting mainly its eastbound markets (GCC countries, Indian 
subcontinent, South-and Northeast Asia).'' Iberia Airlines comments 
stating that it strongly supports the proposed extension and 
``appreciate[s] that the FAA is aware of the unpredictable environment 
and that the recovery from this global pandemic remains slow.'' ITA 
Airways comments generally in support of the FAA's proposal stating 
``We strongly support the proposed extension of a conditional waiver of 
the minimum slot usage requirement for international slots only for 
S22''.

Commenters Who Support FAA's Proposal With Requested Modifications

    A4A, IATA, Lufthansa Group, and United support FAA's proposal but 
made additional requests for flexibility on the slot return 
requirements outlined in the FAA's proposal. A4A supports FAA's 
proposal stating that it provides ``operational certainty'', 
``simplicity'', and ``fairness and equity''. A4A asserts that, 
``[i]nternational air travel for the remainder of 2022 is expected to 
improve over 2021 levels, but a full recovery is not expected before 
2024 at the very earliest'' and that ``FAA should extend the Waiver for 
Level 2 and 3 airports, given the pandemic's continued direct impact on 
U.S. carriers' international operations.'' In support of this claim A4A 
provides that ``[f]or the first two months of 2022, A4A member 
passenger traffic for Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific and transborder 
U.S.-Canada operations have tracked at 59%, 13% and 26%, respectively, 
of 2019 levels. While we [A4A] anticipate improved demand as global 
travel restrictions ease, as we look forward, these markets remain 
weak.'' A4A requests the FAA incorporate flexibility into the slot 
return rules stating ``FAA should permit a ten-day slot return notice 
requirement for the first two weeks after a final notice is issued and 
thereafter revert to a four-week slot return notice requirement.'' In 
addition, A4A requests the FAA maintain a reciprocity requirement, and 
that ``a lack of reciprocity would impair connectivity, distort 
competition, and alter passenger demand in the future, thereby directly 
impacting more than just U.S. carrier service at these airports; it 
would exacerbate uncertainty and reduce flexibility.'' IATA comments, 
``[w]hile forward looking trends are improving, future bookings for 
international travel remain significantly lower than pre-COVID levels. 
For this reason, it is wholly sensible to provide flexibility in the 
form of an international slot waiver, considering the season starts in 
one month.'' Further, IATA states that ``airlines need certainty that 
there remains a level of flexibility and assurances that impacted 
routes can be sustainably rebuilt in line with the recovery of demand 
throughout the season.'' IATA request the FAA ``amend the slot return 
period to initially seven days after publication in the Federal 
Register, and the subsequently as a rolling 4-week return region.'' 
United comments that it ``adopts and incorporates by reference the 
comments filed by Airlines for America (``A4A''). United ``commends FAA 
for recognizing the continuing and extraordinary adverse effects of the 
COVID19 pandemic and for proposing a limited, conditional waiver 
applying to international operations for slot use at Level 3 airports 
and for schedule cancellation at Level 2 airports.'' United requests 
the FAA ``amend the date of which carriers are to make the first slot 
return for the Summer 2022 season from the published February 28, 2022 
date to a date 7 days after final publication of the final notice.'' 
Lufthansa Group comments in support of FAA's proposal stating ``the 
unexpected emergence and spread of the Delta and then Omicron variants 
during the last 6 months, requires the industry and government to be 
ready and able to react with significant flexibility, especially in the 
international setting.'' Similarly, Lufthansa group recommend the FAA 
``amend the slot return period to initially 7 days after final 
publication in the Federal Register, and then subsequently on a rolling 
4-week basis.''

Commenters Who Oppose the FAA's Proposal

    ACI-NA and Exhaustless oppose FAA's proposal to continue COVID-19-
related relief for international operations only. ACI-NA submits that 
``with the alleviation of regulatory restrictions to travel, airports 
cannot accept a situation where extending the waiver for international 
operations would weaken the reinstatement of much-needed connectivity 
and damage the competitive landscape at airports.'' ACI-NA observes 
that ``the practical effect of extending slot relief is precisely to 
reserve capacity for historic holders of landing privileges at 
constrained airports, thereby distorting the shape and trajectory of 
air travel recovery at these airports. ACI-NA believes that absent 
these waivers, airlines serving constrained airports would be 
encouraged to make different, demand-responsive decisions regarding 
deployment of their capacity.'' Further, ACI-NA suggests that 
``continuation of these waivers could lead to a ``chilling effect'' 
which discourages new service at constrained airports due to a lack of 
long-term certainty, thereby punishing the airlines most interested in 
deploying their capacity to respond to the needs of the traveling 
public.''
    Exhaustless opposes FAA's proposal, contending that it would 
``block the free market economy'' and argues that ``the DOT/FAA must 
consider the Exhaustless' airspace reservation market and explain why 
it has proposed an administrative allocation--that excludes 
passengers--over Exhaustless' competitive and coordinated market for 
airspace reservations.''

Discussion of Comments Regarding Flexibility in the Slot Return Policy

    The FAA is persuaded by commenters that have requested the FAA 
modify the initial February 28, 2022, slot return deadline due to 
compliance issues attributable to the timing of FAA's final waiver 
decision. Due to the timing of this final notice, the FAA will require 
compliance with the 4-week advance slot return condition for operations 
scheduled from May 2, 2022 (instead of from March 27, 2022) through the 
duration of the Summer 2022 season. Accordingly, carriers must begin 
notifying FAA of Summer returns by April 4, 2022 (instead of February 
28, 2022). The FAA believes this change is reasonable because it would 
be impracticable for carriers to meet the proposed return deadline 
given the timing of the FAA's final waiver policy.

Discussion of Comments Regarding Reciprocity

    The FAA received comments requesting that the FAA maintain the 
reciprocity requirement. As stated in FAA's proposal and discussed 
later in this notice, FAA expects that foreign slot coordinators will 
provide reciprocal relief to U.S. carriers. To the extent that U.S. 
carriers fly to a foreign carrier's home jurisdiction and that home 
jurisdiction does not offer reciprocal relief to U.S. carriers, the FAA 
may determine not to grant a waiver to the foreign carrier. A foreign 
carrier seeking a waiver may wish to ensure that the responsible 
authority of the foreign carrier's home jurisdiction submits a 
statement by email to [email protected] confirming reciprocal 
treatment of the slot holdings of U.S. carriers.

[[Page 18060]]

Discussion of Additional Issues Raised in Comments

    FAA received a comment requesting the FAA discontinue COVID-related 
relief for international operations due to the practical effects of 
relief weakening the reinstatement of connectivity, damaging the 
competitive landscape at airports, chilling the introduction of new 
services, and distorting the air travel recovery at airports. Based on 
global vaccination rates, changing infection rates and the threat of 
new virus strains, continued unpredictability of travel restrictions, 
and the disparity between demand for domestic air travel and demand for 
international air travel, extending the current limited, conditional 
waiver for international operations by all carriers, is reasonable. The 
FAA believes extending the limited, conditional slot usage waiver, for 
international operations only, through the Summer 2022 season provides 
carriers with the flexibility to operate in the unpredictable 
international market and supports the long term viability of carrier 
operations at slot-controlled and IATA Level 2 airports in the United 
States. The FAA notes that no U.S. carrier or foreign carrier commented 
in opposition of the FAA's proposed extension of COVID-related relief. 
Further, to the extent that some commenters question FAA's authority to 
manage slots and facilitate schedules or seek to supersede this 
proceeding entirely by encouraging the federal government to establish 
broader aviation industry recovery policies and/or change the 
regulatory policy landscape for managing slots and schedule 
facilitation in the United States, such comments are deemed to be 
outside the scope of this proceeding.

Decision

    In consideration of the foregoing information, petitions received 
in advance of the proposal, the comments that the FAA has received, and 
the evolving and highly unpredictable situation globally with respect 
to ongoing impacts from COVID-19, the FAA has determined to extend, for 
international operations only, the current limited, conditional relief 
that the FAA has already made available through March 26, 2022, through 
the end of the Summer 2022 season on October 29, 2022.\24\ This relief 
is limited to slots and approved operating times used by carriers for 
international operations through October 29, 2022, and is subject to 
the same terms and conditions that the FAA has applied to the relief 
already made available through March 26, 2022, which the FAA reiterates 
in this notice. International operations, for the purpose of this 
notice, are flights intended for operation between one of the U.S. 
slot-controlled or IATA Level 2 airports and any point in a foreign 
jurisdiction.
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    \24\ The FAA notes that for purposes of the relief described in 
this proceeding, Canadian carriers are treated as foreign carriers.
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    It is not the policy of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to 
use slot and Level 2 rules to reserve capacity for historic incumbent 
carriers until demand returns to predetermined levels. Instead, it is 
the policy of the Department to encourage high utilization of scarce 
public infrastructure. As previously stated, at some point in time, 
continuing waivers to preserve pre-COVID slot holdings may impede the 
ability of airports and airlines to provide services that benefit the 
overall national economy and make appropriate use of scarce public 
assets. Therefore, the FAA emphasizes that operators should not assume 
further relief on the basis of COVID-19 will be forthcoming beyond the 
end of the Summer 2022 scheduling season.
    Based on global vaccination rates, changing infection rates and the 
threat of new virus strains, continued unpredictability of travel 
restrictions, and the disparity between demand for domestic air travel 
and demand for international air travel, extending the current limited, 
conditional waiver for international operations by all carriers, is 
reasonable. The FAA believes extending the limited, conditional slot 
usage waiver, for international operations only, through the Summer 
2022 season provides carriers with the flexibility to operate in the 
unpredictable international market and supports the long term viability 
of carrier operations at slot-controlled and IATA Level 2 airports in 
the United States.
    The FAA recognizes that domestic carriers have a mix of both 
domestic and international operations, and therefore the agency intends 
to make this relief available for international operations that would 
have been operated in the Summer 2022 season, but for COVID-19 impacts 
on air travel demand. In other words, the FAA intends to provide this 
conditional relief to domestic carriers on a scale that is generally 
comparable to each carrier's pre-COVID level of international service. 
The FAA would generally evaluate any request for relief from U.S. 
carriers for the Summer 2022 scheduling season based on historical 
levels of operations to foreign points as demonstrated in published 
schedules from the Summer 2019 scheduling season. Domestic carriers 
seeking relief for a particular operation under the waiver would need 
to provide the FAA, if not readily apparent from FAA records and 
historic published schedule data, alternative supplemental information 
that predates this notice to demonstrate intent to use a slot or 
approved operating time for an international destination. The FAA would 
not accept evidence of intent to use a particular slot or approved 
operating time for an international flight during the Summer 2022 
season if the information is dated after the Summer 2022 proposal (87 
FR 11805) issued on February 25, 2022.
    International operations eligible for a waiver under this relief 
are subject to all of the same conditions and policies made available 
in FAA's Winter 2021/2022 waiver, which remains in effect at slot-
controlled, and IATA Level 2 airports in the United States for the 
Winter 2021/2022 season.\25\ The FAA believes the conditions associated 
with the relief provided to date are generally comparable to the WASB 
package and remain necessary to strike a balance between competing 
interests of incumbent carriers and those carriers seeking new or 
increased access at these historically-constrained airports, as well as 
to ensure the relief is appropriately tailored to reduce the potential 
to suppress flight operations for which demand exists. The FAA has 
determined to make available to slot holders at U.S. slot-controlled 
airports (DCA, JFK, and LGA) a waiver from the minimum slot usage 
requirements, for international operations only, due to continuing 
COVID-19 impacts through October 29, 2022, subject to the following 
conditions:
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    \25\ COVID-19 Related Relief Concerning Operations at Chicago 
O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, 
Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International 
Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington 
National Airport, and San Francisco International Airport for the 
Winter 2021/2022 Scheduling Season, 86 FR 58134 (Oct. 20, 2021).
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    (1) All slots not intended to be operated must be returned at least 
four weeks prior to the date of the FAA-approved operation to allow 
other carriers an opportunity to operate these slots on an ad hoc basis 
without historic precedence. However, slots operated as approved on a 
non-historic basis in Summer 2022 will be given priority over new 
demands for the same timings in the next equivalent season (Summer 
2023) for use on a non-historic basis, subject to capacity availability 
and consistent with established rules and policies in effect in the 
United

[[Page 18061]]

States.26 27 Foreign carriers seeking priority under this 
provision will be required to represent that their home jurisdiction 
will provide reciprocal priority to U.S. carrier requests of this 
nature. Compliance with this condition is required for operations 
scheduled from May 2, 2022, through the duration of this relief; 
therefore, carriers must begin notifying the FAA of Summer returns by 
April 4, 2022;
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    \26\ Consistent with the FAA's final policy statement issued 
January 13, 2021, this priority applies to slot or schedule requests 
for Summer 2023, which are comparable in timing, frequency, and 
duration to the non-historic ad hoc approvals made by the FAA for 
Summer 2022. This priority does not affect the historic precedence 
or priority of slot holders and carriers with schedule approvals, 
respectively, which meet the conditions of the waiver during Summer 
2022 and seek to resume operating in Summer 2023. The FAA may 
consider this priority in the event that slots with historic 
precedence become available for permanent allocation by the FAA.
    \27\ Although the FAA is extending the four-week rolling return 
policy consistent with the Winter 2021/2022 waiver, any carrier 
returning full-season slots or schedule approvals at an airport 
outside the United States and associated with a route to the United 
States will generally be expected to similarly return the 
complementary full-season U.S. slot or schedule approval to the FAA 
for re-allocation on a non-historic or ad hoc basis.
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    (2) The waiver does not apply to slots newly allocated for initial 
use during the Summer 2022 season. New allocations meeting minimum 
usage requirements remain eligible for historic precedence. The waiver 
does not apply to historic in-kind slots within any 30-minute or 60-
minute time period, as applicable, in which a carrier seeks and obtains 
a similar new allocation (i.e., arrival or departure, air carrier or 
commuter, if applicable); and,
    (3) The waiver does not apply to slots newly transferred on an 
uneven basis (i.e., via one-way slot transaction/lease) since October 
15, 2020, for the duration of the transfer.\28\ Slots transferred prior 
to this date may benefit from the waiver if all other conditions are 
met. Slots granted historic precedence for subsequent seasons based on 
this relief are not eligible for transfer if the slot holder ceases all 
operations at the airport.
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    \28\ Consistent with prior proceedings, the FAA does not propose 
to revise this condition to include a buffer period for new 
transfers to be completed and still benefit from this waiver. 
Therefore, this policy remains in effect continuously from the 
initial effective date of October 16, 2020.
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    In addition, an exception may be granted to these conditions based 
on any government restriction that prevents or severely restricts 
travel to specific airports, destinations (including intermediate 
points), or countries for which the slot was held. This exception 
applies under extraordinary circumstances only in which a carrier is 
able to demonstrate that the ability to operate a particular flight or 
comply with the conditions of the waiver is prevented or severely 
restricted due to an unpredictable official governmental action related 
to COVID-19. Official government actions that may qualify for this 
exception include--
     Government travel restrictions based on nationality, 
closed borders, government advisories related to COVID-19 that warn 
against all but essential travel, or complete bans on flights from/to 
certain countries or geographic areas.
     Government restrictions related to COVID-19 on the maximum 
number of arriving or departing flights and/or the number of passengers 
on a specific flight or through a specific airport.
     Government restrictions on movement or quarantine/
isolation measures within the country or region where the airport or 
destination (including intermediate points) is located.
     Government-imposed closure of businesses essential to 
support aviation activities (e.g., closure of hotels, ground handling 
suppliers, etc.).
     Governmental restrictions on airline crew, including 
unreasonable entry requirements or unreasonable testing and/or 
quarantine measures.
This exception is being administered by the FAA in coordination with 
the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST). The extraordinary 
circumstances exception in this slot usage relief is limited to the 
scope of the relief otherwise provided by this waiver; U.S. carriers 
should not expect to rely on the extraordinary circumstances exception 
for relief for domestic operations.\29\
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    \29\ The FAA may consider individualized requests from U.S. 
carriers for domestic relief on a case-by-case basis consistent with 
the applicable waiver standard.
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    The conditions for COVID-19-related relief for prioritizing flights 
canceled at IATA Level 2 airports (ORD, EWR, LAX, and SFO), for 
purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next 
corresponding season, which the FAA will apply to the relief in this 
notice include:
    (1) All schedules as initially submitted by carriers and approved 
by the FAA and not intended to be operated must be returned at least 
four weeks prior to the date of the FAA-approved operation to allow 
other carriers an opportunity to operate these times on an ad hoc basis 
without assurance of priority in the next corresponding season. 
However, schedules operated as approved on an ad hoc basis in Summer 
2022 will be given priority over new demands for the same timings in 
the next equivalent season (Summer 2023) for use on an ad hoc basis, 
subject to capacity availability and consistent with established rules 
and policies in effect in the United States. Foreign carriers seeking 
priority under this provision are required to represent that their home 
jurisdiction will provide reciprocal priority to U.S. carrier requests 
of this nature. Compliance with this condition is required for 
operations scheduled from May 2, 2022, through the duration of this 
relief; therefore, carriers must begin notifying the FAA of Summer 
returns by April 4, 2022; and,
    (2) The priority for FAA schedules approved for Summer 2022 does 
not apply to net-newly approved operations for initial use during the 
Summer 2022 season. New approved times will remain eligible for 
priority consideration in Summer 2023 if actually operated in Summer 
2022 according to established processes.
    Consistent with the final decision for slot-controlled airports, 
limited exceptions may be granted from either or both of these 
conditions at Level 2 airports under extraordinary circumstances due to 
any government restriction that prevents or severely restricts travel 
to specific airports, destinations (including intermediate points), or 
countries for which the schedule approval was held, as discussed 
previously with respect to slot-controlled airports. If the exception 
is determined not to apply, carriers will be expected to meet the 
conditions for relief or operate consistent with standard expectations 
for the Level 2 environment. The extraordinary circumstances exception 
in this relief only applies within the scope of the relief otherwise 
provided by the waiver; U.S. carriers should not expect to rely on the 
extraordinary circumstances exception for relief related to domestic 
operations.
    The FAA believes an extension of relief for international 
operations only, through October 29, 2022, is reasonable due to 
fluctuating travel restrictions and the ongoing economic and health 
impacts of COVID-19 internationally. The relief is expected to provide 
carriers with flexibility during this unprecedented situation and to 
support the long-term viability of international operations at slot-
controlled and IATA Level 2 airports in the United States.\30\

[[Page 18062]]

Continuing relief for this additional period is reasonable to mitigate 
the impacts on passenger demand for international air travel resulting 
from the spread of COVID-19 worldwide.
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    \30\ The FAA is responsible to develop plans and policy for the 
use of navigable airspace and assign by regulation or order the use 
of the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the 
efficient use of airspace. See 49 U.S.C. 40103(b)(1). The FAA 
manages slot usage requirements under the authority of 14 CFR 93.227 
at DCA and under the authority of Orders at LGA and JFK. See 
Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy International Airport, 85 
FR 58258 (Sep. 18, 2020); Operating Limitations at New York 
LaGuardia Airport, 85 FR 58255 (Sep. 18, 2020).
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    As of the date of issuance of this notice, COVID-19 continues to 
present a highly unusual and unpredictable condition for international 
operations that is beyond the control of carriers. The continuing 
impacts of COVID-19 on global aviation are dramatic and extraordinary, 
with an unprecedented decrease in passenger demand for international 
air travel globally. The ultimate duration and severity of COVID-19 
impacts on passenger demand for international air travel remain 
unclear.
    The FAA expects that foreign slot coordinators will provide 
reciprocal relief to U.S. carriers. To the extent that U.S. carriers 
fly to a foreign carrier's home jurisdiction and that home jurisdiction 
does not offer reciprocal relief to U.S. carriers, the FAA may 
determine not to grant a waiver to that foreign carrier. The FAA 
acknowledges that some foreign jurisdictions may opt to adopt more 
strict provisions in response to this policy than they had otherwise 
planned. However, as previously explained, the FAA believes the 
conditions associated with the relief provided in this notice are 
necessary to strike a balance between competing interests of incumbent 
carriers and those carriers seeking new or increased access at these 
historically-constrained airports, as well as to ensure the relief is 
appropriately tailored to reduce the potential for a long-term waiver 
to suppress flight operations for which demand exists. A foreign 
carrier seeking a waiver may wish to ensure that the responsible 
authority of the foreign carrier's home jurisdiction submits a 
statement by email to [email protected] confirming reciprocal 
treatment of the slot holdings of U.S. carriers.
    The FAA emphasizes that it strongly encourages carriers to return 
slots and approved schedules voluntarily as soon as possible and for as 
long a period as possible during the Summer 2022 season, so that other 
airlines seeking operations on an ad hoc basis may do so with increased 
certainty. The rolling four-week return deadline is only a minimum 
requirement, and FAA anticipates that carriers may often be able to 
provide notice of cancellations significantly further in advance than 
four weeks. In both the Level 2 and slot-controlled environments, the 
FAA seeks the assistance of all carriers to continue to work with the 
FAA to ensure the national airspace system capacity is not 
underutilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Carriers should advise the FAA Slot Administration Office of COVID-
19-related cancellations and return the slots to the FAA by email to [email protected] to obtain relief. Carriers that have already 
advised the FAA Slot Administration Office of COVID-19-related 
cancellations and slot returns contingent on the Summer 2022 final 
policy do not need to resubmit identical requests. The information 
provided should include the dates for which relief is requested, the 
flight number, origin/destination airport, scheduled time of operation, 
the slot identification number, as applicable, and supporting 
information demonstrating that flight cancelations directly relate to 
the COVID-19 pandemic. Carriers providing insufficient information to 
clearly identify slots that will not be operated at DCA, JFK, or LGA 
will not be granted relief from the applicable minimum usage 
requirements. Carriers providing insufficient information to identify 
clearly changes or cancellations from previously approved schedules at 
EWR, LAX, ORD, or SFO will not be provided priority for future seasons.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2022.
Marc A. Nichols,
Chief Counsel.
Virginia T. Boyle,
Vice President, System Operations Services.
[FR Doc. 2022-06743 Filed 3-25-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P